[rsisk]

I don't think it is so much robotics as it is the combination of robotics and FIRST.

FIRST has the right balance of bright minds/helpful attitudes, competition/cooperation, challenge/success, plus a lot of great people and core values that make it appealing and addicting.

Robots without FIRST? It would still be appealing, but not sure I would have the reason to dedicate as much time as I do to FIRST Robotics. Seeing the changes that are made in the lives of students, mentors, and volunteers by this program gives me a great answer when asked why I do this.

FIRST without robots? Hmm, hard to imagine, but the robots are just the vehicle lubricant to keep the mission of FIRST humming. Would be different if we were doing Mock Trial? Math Olympics? Civil engineering projects? I guess as long as it was some kind of hands on project that engaged and enhanced our knowledge it would work, but robots are just so much fun to create and it is real easy to engage the public with the results of our effort.

So I doubt I would be this engage without the synergy created by the combination of FIRST and robotics.